A new survey has been published looking at the cost of ownership for gasoline vehicles compared to diesel vehicles. The University of Michigan conducted the study for Robert Bosch, LLC.

The study determined that diesel vehicles save owners between $2,000 to $6,000 in total ownership costs during a 3- to 5-year period compared to similar gasoline vehicles. The data was compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

"Overall, the results of our analyses show that diesel vehicles provide owners with a TCO (total cost of ownership) that is less than that of the gas versions of the same vehicles," according to the study. "The estimates of savings for three and five years of ownership vary from a low of $67 in three years to a high of $15,619 in five years.”

The study claims that Volkswagen Jetta owners saved $3,128 while Volkswagen Golf owners saved an estimated $5,013 compared to owners of similar gasoline-powered vehicles. The study also finds that all of the diesel vehicles had better miles per gallon figures then gasoline versions with diesel is offering between 8% and 44% higher fuel economy.

The study also shows that nine of the 10 diesel vehicles held their value better the comparable gasoline vehicles.

I'm not sure why you think that there are so many issues with VWs, but they are generally reviewed quite highly. Especially the diesel models.

Anyway, according to my math I'm paying about 9% more per gallon for diesel fuel, but getting almost 50% better fuel economy. Between that and the less frequent oil changes (10k for TDI vs 3k for gas) I'm saving around $1200/year. I paid about $1800 more for my TDI than I would have for the gasoline model, and when I resell it at the end of 5-6 years (if that's what I do) then I will be able to get close to another $2000 for it than I could for a gasoline model, as the diesels tend to have a significantly higher resale value. So over the course of 6 years I'm looking at close to $7500 in savings (even after accounting for the higher purchase price).

quote: I'm not sure why you think that there are so many issues with VWs, but they are generally reviewed quite highly. Especially the diesel models.

Check out the B5 Passat TDI.

Here's a nice list of issues:

Timing chain that was too weak. Warps or snaps. Bad for engine! VW offers gear retrofit... won't pay for it. Out of owner's pocket! Apparently Europeans were treated to a free replacement. The part is known as a "balance shaft module".

But, don't worry. It only costs thousands of dollars to get the timing chain replaced with gears. Or you can treat yourself to a ruined engine. I love how dealers sell these cars at top dollar without mentioning this small caveat.

Oh, and then there are the wonderful Pumpe Düse cam lobes that wear out because of poor engineering.

And, if that's not enough, the car was assembled as VW's Mexican plant, which was a pinnacle of quality during these years... just as the New Beetle owners.

The Passat is a rarity, most seem to be $4-$5k more and don't get twice the mileage. But I think that this is because the Passat gas is not that efficient. When a Mazda6 is getting 38mpg on the highway now.

"Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally. I dare anybody to do that once a month on the Windows machine." -- Bill Gates